Bastian

Vatavuk debate Bush address

Somerset County's two major-party chairman had different assessments of the president's State of the Union address Wednesday night.

The Republican, state Rep. Bob Bastian, said he felt President Bush delivered a great speech that "laid out pretty clearly" the administration's approach to "saving" Social Security.

"They talk about President Reagan being the great communicator, well I think President Bush is a great communicator and an excellent speaker," Bastian said.

Democrat John Vatavuk thought the president's speech was average, citing problems he had with the administration's approach to Social Security, education reform and immigration policy.

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"For the people who like him, he did a good job of selling his ideas," Vatavuk said. "For those who don't care about his programs, I don't know if he did a good job selling it. The country is so torn apart now."

Both men agreed that the highlight of the evening was the president recognizing Janet and Bill Norwood, the parents Marine Sgt. Byron Norwood of Pflugerville, Texas, who was killed in the Fallujah assault. The Norwoods received the longest applause of the evening.

"I think the most emotional part of the whole program was when the couple stood up who lost their son in Iraq," Bastian said. "I have great admiration for people who were in the service (and served) in harm's way."

"That was quite emotional" added Vatavuk. "You could see that the lady was broken up, and you could understand why."

Neither man was surprised that Bush focused primarily on domestic issues after an inauguration speech that was highlighted by foreign policy and the war in Iraq. Still, Vatavuk believes Bush's legacy will be forever tied to the outcome of the controversial war.

"If the war goes well, he'll be remembered as a great president," he said. "If it doesn't, he'll have a rough four years."

Bastian liked the fact that Bush focused on domestic issues and outlined his agenda for the next four years.

"Whenever you're starting with a new Congress you need to let them know where you want them to go," he said.

Bush talked extensively Wednesday night about his proposal to add personal accounts to Social Security. Bastian said he believes the president's plan of allowing workers to invest a portion of their retirement savings in the market is more palatable than the other alternatives available.

"I don't think people are interested in paying more taxes, taking their benefits later (in life) or taking less benefits," Bastian said.

Bastian acknowledged that the stock market can be risky, but also noted that it has a tendency to grow over time.

"What would my account look like if I had put all my money in the stock market back in the 1940s?" Bastian asked. "Sure the stock market is a gamble, but over the years it's been a pretty good gamble."

Vatavuk said he worries about start-up costs for the president's proposal and workers losing money in risky investments. By some estimates, privatization could add up to $2 trillion to the deficit over 10 years.

Vatavuk favors raising the Social Security payroll tax cap on wages. Currently, the first $90,000 of wages is subject to Social Security tax.

"I'm a firm believer there are other ways of making the program solvent," he said.